Mad Hatters!

YES!

the title of this post is in reference
to the much anticipated
Alice in Wonderland
extravaganza that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp
have in store for us next month . . .


i'm also referring to the gorgeous new
HATS
that were just delivered from
Kitty in a Blender (Nelson, BC)!!!
(http://kittyinablender.com/index.html)


Designer Kristin Phasey's creations are a
multi-step process: she firsts crochets, then felts,
and finally finishes each hat with
subtle details -- like this small spray of feathers! -- so the
end result is uniquely individual.





~ the soft texture of felted wool is such a treat for your noggin!!



~ a great Valentine's Day gift idea,
for someone you ♥ . . .

like YOU !?!!?






I was surprised to learn that
Kristin has only been making these hats
to sell for just a few months now.
Her professional approach to quality is
evident in the finished product!

Custom orders are Welcome also!!
(see website for Order Form)

Come check them out when you
get a chance!!



Happy Imbolc
to all our pagan friends!

this is the time of year when we all start looking
to the weather and nature for signs of spring;
the tradition of watching groundhogs
(or more importantly, their shadows)
to predict the end of winter
was born of this ancient holiday.


SO!!
stick your head out into the world today,
check out the cloud situation and
make your own predictions!!

xoxo, global


~ many thanks to my geeky brothers
who comb the internet for random interesting factoids to share
(go to wikipedia.com and select "Random article")
and who never laugh too hard at my tendency to look up
ANYTHING in the middle of a conversation !!!

New! This! Week!

new camera + novice photographer = LOTS of amateur shots!!
(so bear with me . . . )

here are some photos of the
new clothing we just received
from the talented ladies at
Floating Gold Iceberg (Victoria, BC)

~ the Hotness : grey fleece top with cozy plaid cowlneck

. . . sleeve detail

. . . and neck detail

~ also comes in Grey Fleece + Navy cowl and
Black Fleece + Tan Plaid cowl

Grey Fleece + Navy cowl sleeve detail . . .

Grey Fleece + Navy cowl neck detail . . .

Black Fleece + Tan Plaid cowl sleeve detail . . .

Black Fleece + Tan Plaid cowl neck detail . . . .

~ Le Trou : full length wide leg trousers in a stretchy black twill

a yoga waistband

with 2 flat back pockets

and structured cuffs you can wear up or down!

also available in a light blue stretch denim!!

~ the Cossack Pant : a wide leg cut with a yoga waistband,
the length hits most of us around mid-calf so
you can show off those amazing new boots you got for Xmas!!

~ the Cossack in black twill/lycra with Crane print

~ the Cossack in black linen/lycra with Headdress print

~ the Bella Yoga Pant : same cut as the Cossack pant but in a
very livable cotton/lycra fabric . . .

~ shown in Navy with a Maple Seedpod print on the back leg

~ the Circle Scarf : one continuous length of cotton/lycra fabric
that can be worn so many different ways,
it comes with an owner's manual!!

one long, simple loop . . .

or double up the layers . . .

bring one layer up over your head and get cozy . . .

highlight the ribbon detail for an elegant shrug . . .

or leave it hanging long down the back . . .

and finally, add a pin in the front to make a shawl!

the Circle Scarf is definitely one of those pieces
that will never become stale
and you don't have to be
highly skilled at the Art of Scarves to
make it look perfect every time you wear it!!


one last note:

today is the final day for business for a little shop called
Hemp&Company here in Nelson.
H&C Nelson was where i learned the most important bits about
owning & running a retail store from Mike Finley and Bill Finley.

i'd like to say Thank You to Mike and to Bill
for your patience, understanding, and calm over the years,
and for supporting me and Laura as we moved
forward with our own fledgling business!!!

forever appreciative,
michelle
(your kid-sitter for LIFE!!)

Floating Gold Iceberg

i just realized that the blog

has been representing only the
tiny sized kid's stuff that we've stocked
for Xmas gift ideas!

So! here is a little taste of the handmade goodies we get
for grown-ups from the ladies at
Floating Gold Iceberg in Victoria, BC
(http://floatinggoldiceberg.squarespace.com/)

~ the Little Lady Wallet is small enough for her back pocket
but still has a zip and a snap to help her keep it all together!!

~ Wrist Warmers - these colorful & cozy sleevelets
add a splash of color and keep you warm!!
LOTS of different fabrics and prints to choose from!

~ the Overprint Scarf in soft jersey is
extra long and can also be worn
as a tube wrap top or a mini skirt!

~ the Cossack Pant is made with great stretch fabrics;
right now we have them in jet black linen/lycra.
with a comfortable yoga waistband, these are both
dressy and casual all wrapped up in one!

~ the Reversible Short Dress is a best-seller here at GU!
made from a cotton/lycra stretch material
in a rainbow of colors
each with custom screenprinting!
you can wear it long like a dress with tights
or
rouched up at your hips as a top
(this style is very popular with Moms-to-Be!)

~ the Long John Skirt in a wool blend fabric
has a smocked waistband that you can wear high or low
and almost - hidden side pockets.

~ Le Trou? Mais Oui!!
these full length trousers come in a thick denim/lycra fabric
with a yoga waistband and a structured cuff that can
be easily turned up to change the length and the look!
of course, these are printed with FGI's original art too!

~ the Circle Scarf is my new FaVe!!
so easy to wear, it's simply one continuous length of jersey:

* once around your neck is long and elegant
* double it up = two cozy layers
* bring one of the layers up over your head for a little hood
* over your shoulders and under your arms = a shrug!

the FGI ladies have added a ribbon accent along with
their lovely printed art.


Floating Gold Iceberg is another Lady-Driven business
that we are so proud to be associated with!!
Mademoiselle Angie (Oui!?) has graciously
consigned her handmade wares with us for
two years now, from even before there was an FGI collective
and for that we will be ever appreciative!!

Honorable mention to Lizz, a mutual BFF,
who brought us all together in the first place!!

Angie was a big part of our first big in-store event:
a Fashion Show and Trunk Sale
in Sept 2007
that included
Bonspiel! - designer Ellen Box (Victoria, BC)
(http://bonspielcreation.com/)

it was such a fun night
and we have yet to duplicate it
but we'll keep trying!

here's a fun video of the evening that our friend Soniko
put together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Wr4QIJ0wo

Did i say thanks yet to whoever
sent all this yummy
SnOw!!!???

it's the best kind too:
it's sticking to everything,
making the world seem quieter,
and no problem to shovel!!

are you getting into the Xmas spirit yet?

xoxo, global

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

". . . bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
brown paper packages tied up with strings,
these are a few of my favorite things"

here are a few of OUR favorite things,
eat your heart out Oprah!

~ from Dear Pony (designer Tracy Fillion, Nelson, BC)
(http://www.etsy.com/shop/dearpony)

a cozy fleece hoody with bluebird embroidery

recycled merino wool armwarmers

and recycled sweater mittens

finally, a reversible Obi belt
made from organic cotton

~ from Clever Fawn (designer Beth Schwartz, Nelson, BC)
(http://www.cleverfawn.com/)
stylish & functional fall and winter arm warmers

a wool poppy pin for your hair
(or your cap. or your collar. or ...)

and just one piece of Beth's unique hand made jewelry to tease you,
a dragonfly pendant in sterling silver and copper

** new to our store this week! **

~ from Artifact Design Co. (designer Marnie Eikenaar, Nelson, BC)
(http://www.thesiscrew.com/)
soft and stylish OneOfAKind reconstructed tees and hoodies

~ from Love Bobbie (designer Julie Chung, Vancouver, BC)
(http://www.lovebobbie.com/)
a modern fabric flower headband

and damn cute customized bobby pins
that are as functional as they are pretty!!


~ from Green One Ventures (designer Melissa Blyth, Vancouver, BC)
(http://www.greenoneventures.com/)
100% organic cotton canvas shopping bag
* No Need to be Koi *

this bag will hold so much!
we fit a full picnic's worth of food in,
from the baguette to the Bordeaux!!


just in case you missed it,
all of these great products were designed
and produced right here in Left Coast Canada!

a mere sampling of what you might find behind

~ the Red Door in the Alley ~

Global Underground
Nelson, BC